Cutting off all the ways

The barmaid said, "I know. That man slightly tilted his head in your direction."

She then saw the man coming into the light, and his handsome face with his bluish-grey obsidians came into view. His eyes were twinkling in amusement, and his lips were etched into a faint smile.

"It would be interesting to meet him. Even without the dog, he detected me."

The barmaid smiled, tiptoed, and kissed his lips. "Right. I have a feeling that we are going to meet again soon with that duo, sorry trio. For now, what do you want to drink?"

The man pulled her waist and deepened the kiss, entangling their tongues. "A drink is more enjoyable after some good exercise." He seductively rubbed her lower lip with his thumb, and his gaze was filled with desire for her.

The barmaid brushed her index finger along his jawline and whispered in his ear. "Then what are we waiting for?"

*Xin Lei*, ---

We were walking towards the end of the corridor as the barmaid directed. Cocoa was walking in the front, guiding Bai Li. I observed that he was focussing on something as he was talking to that barmaid.

I typed. "You were looking a little strange."

Bai Li turned his head slightly towards me. "There was somebody else standing behind that barmaid, maybe hiding because you didn't say or ask anything about the presence of any other person."

That was right. I didn't see anybody. I furrowed my brows. "How do you know?"

"The loud music diminishes a little at the bar area. It was slight, but I heard a 'clink,' probably it was his wrist-watch against something. When you lose your sight, your other senses become stronger and sharper, plus serving years in the army also helps."

I thought about it. I typed. "It was a man, I guess. Because I'm pretty much sure that I saw a hickey on the barmaid's neck, the man could be her boyfriend."

"Possible."

We reached the end. I knocked on the door - three times and then tap, as he had said in his message.

The door slowly opened, and I saw a man stepping out of the dark. I recognized the familiar figure and jumped into his hug.

It felt so long after I met uncle Rong Zhengsheng. After Dad and big brother disappeared, I couldn't think what to do next. It felt so alone, and I constantly worried about their safety.

I wanted to call out his name, but my mute self wasn't able to do it. It brought tears to my eyes.

Uncle Rong patted my head. "Aish, little girl, don't cry." He looked at Bai Li and Cocoa. "You must be the same man about whom Lei was talking."

Bai Li nodded. "I hope it was all about good things about us."

"Arf!"

"Nobody followed you, right?"

"As much as Cocoa and my senses could detect."

"Come in."

I typed a message. "Uncle Rong, you must know about Dad, right? Where is he?"

He shook his head. "No. We were working on Fu Ting's case. He told me to investigate Fu Meili's disappearance."

Bai Li asked, "Did you find anything?"

"I checked with my friend in LangFang police. There is something very wrong about the case. Fu Meili disappeared in the woods of the Natural Park. There is no sign of her leaving that place, yet the police searched the entire park, but didn't find a trace of her."

He continued. "Fu Meili disappeared around three in the afternoon. Around that time, Fu Ting was with some teachers, but some remember that he slipped out for some time."

"So, they think of that as the time frame." I typed.

"Yes. But I secretly talked to a kid who was in Fu Meili's group a few days ago."

"I hope nobody saw you were doing that, or you could be labeled as a pervert." Bai Li commented.

I twitched my eyebrow.

"Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine." Uncle Rong said dryly.

I asked, "What did the kid say?"

"That she doesn't remember Fu Meili carrying her handkerchief. It's because it was pretty, and she wanted to see it again, but Fu Meili forgot to bring it the next day."

It struck me.

Bai Li said, "If Fu Ting kidnapped her, then how did her handkerchief get in his room? It should be in Meili's room, and she disappeared from the woods, meaning outside. It doesn't make sense. So, Fu Ting brought her back to her room, something happened to get her blood on the handkerchief, and then he took her away outside and then kidnapped her? And somehow, her handkerchief made its way in Fu Ting's room?"

We both shook our heads.

Uncle Rong said, "Even if they found a bloodied handkerchief, but, what about the weapon? He disposed of the weapon but forgot about the handkerchief? And now, after he is arrested, he isn't telling the police about her location."

I typed. "How can he not crumble under their questioning? He knows it is futile to hide her anymore."

Uncle Rong said, "An ordinary school teacher won't be able to keep up anymore, correct."

I typed. "But like you said, Fu Ting is an ordinary school teacher. Who and why are they targeting his family? It doesn't seem like he would have any enemies."

Bai Li said, "How about we ask those next minions who would come for you?"

I shrugged.

"And what about Xin Nianzu?"

Uncle Rong said, "Somebody wants to close this case tightly. They have trapped Fu Ting, and they don't want any lawyer to interfere. And they are also sending his men to kill Lei."

Whoever they may be, are closing off all the ways.

I typed. "The preliminary trial is in three days. If Dad doesn't appear in the court, then the prosecution can convince the judge to take the case into arraignment where Fu Ting would have to plead guilty."

Bai Li said, "If that happens, then the day is not far when he would be standing before the rope, waiting to be hanged."